DUSHANBE, September 15, 2011, Asia-Plus — Representatives of border and customs agencies from Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan have come to a conclusion that it is necessary to strengthen Tajik-Afghan border.
Strengthening of the nearly 1,400-kilometer Tajik-Afghan border was the focus of an international conference that has opened in Dushanbe today.
A two-day conference hosted by UNDP Border Management Northern Afghanistan (BOMNAF) is discussing issues related to regional liaison and cross-border joint activities between border and customs agencies from Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The overall aim of the event is to encourage and assist development of capacity and strengthening coordination and communication between the Governments of the Republic of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, in the field of border management and customs procedures.
Senior representatives and heads of missions of the European Union, and international organizations within Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, are taking part in the conference.
“We have gathered here to outline ways to reinforce border management capacity and trans-border cooperation in northern provinces of Afghanistan. The project (BOMNAF) intends to improve cross border cooperation and contribute to mutual trust, regional development, conflict resolution, and enhanced human security, as well as to indirectly enhance and expand economic development on both sides of the border,” Mr. Pierre Morel, European Union Special Representative for Central Asia, said.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Morel noted that the meeting was not connected with the process of withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan. “The situation in Afghanistan has remained tense for many years. The international community has always paid great attention to this problem. This is a challenge to the whole world,” he noted.
Mr. Alexander Zuev, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in Tajikistan noted that borders must serve interests of people living on both sides of the border, for example, for development of a cross-border trade.
Tajik Drug Control Agency director Rustam Nazarov, for his part, drew attention of those present to successful interaction between Tajik and Afghan drug control officers.
“From 2004 to 2011, we carried out 178 joint operations. More than 11 tons of narcotics were sized and some 40 heroin production labs were destroyed in northeast provinces of Afghanistan,” said Tajik drug control chief. “234 drug traffickers were detained.”
The first deputy commander of Tajikistan’s border guard forces, Major-General Sharaf Fayzulloyev, noted Tajikistan was interested in increase in international community’s support for strengthening of the Tajik-Afghan border.
